WSMB First Purchasers

Wisconsin soybean farmers appreciate the first purchasers, i.e. grain dealers, (elevator, terminal, processor, seed producer, trucker or extruder, etc.) for all they do in the industry, and specifically for Wisconsin agriculture.

The first purchasers collect the checkoff from the producer. First purchasers in Wisconsin are required to collect on all soybeans purchased, regardless of the state-of-origin. All soybean producers in every soybean-producing state participate in the checkoff program. The only exception is a producer who holds a current Certificate of Exemption issued by the United Soybean Board. Exempt producers must provide a copy of their Certificate of Exemption to all first purchasers with whom they transact.

The entity that first buys the soybeans from a farmer. This can include entities such as processors, seed producers, elevators, terminals, truckers or extruders, etc. 

The Federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Program (SPARC) from 1990 requires the assessment to be collected by the first purchaser and reported monthly. 

The checkoff requires soybean farmers to contribute one-half of one percent of the price of each bushel at the first point of sale. Those funds are used to invest in research, market outreach, education and promotional activities to increase farmer profitability. 

Quality discounts, such as grade and moisture, are taken initially when the delivery arrives at the first purchaser. After quality discounts, the one-half of one percent checkoff can be calculated. After the checkoff has been assessed, other fees such as storage, trucking and drying can be deducted. 

The national checkoff was established at the federal level by an act of Congress. State soybean checkoff organizations like Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WMSB) do not have the authority to adjust the percentage collected. 

The funds are split (50/50) between the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the United Soybean Board (USB). The funds are then directed by the board of directors, who are elected growers, toward program administration, education, marketing, outreach and research. 

Checks are made payable to the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.  

Electronic payment is also available. Contact WSMB at (608) 274-7522 or email at info@wisoybean.org.  

All assessment forms/checks are to be submitted to the WMSB monthly as follows on the pdf.

Yes. If the checkoff assessment is not postmarked by the first purchaser by the due date, they will be charged a late fee of 2 percent of the unremitted assessment. The late fee is compounded monthly, on all unpaid amounts, until paid. 

Yes. Although no soybeans were purchased, you must still submit the form and list “zero” and sign/date by the deadline. 

Checkoff collections are made when the producer is paid. Under deferred pricing it is preferred that the deduction be made at the time the contract is settled, and the producer receives a check. When a first purchaser is involved with minimum pricing contracts, the checkoff is to be collected on the market value of the soybeans at the time the first purchaser buys them.

If soybeans are grown in other states, the first purchaser should report that on their Wisconsin form and WMSB will remit the appropriate funds to those states. 

As of October 1, 1995, refunds from the National Checkoff were eliminated. However, in states like Wisconsin where the state program is authorized or required to pay refunds, the producer may direct that his or her total assessment be forwarded to the United Soybean Board by requesting a refund from the State program. Since WSMB is is required to pay refunds to producers at the state level, requests from producers for refunds for contributions to it by the producer following the termination of authority to pay refunds, will be honored by forwarding to the United Soybean Board that portion of such refunds. 

No. The SPARC act prevents checkoff funds from being used for legislative activities. The Wisconsin Soybean Association lobbies on behalf of Wisconsin soybean farmers.